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Harry
Rodger Webb was born on October 14, 1940, in Lucknow, which was then still
part of British India. He spent part of his youth in India, but after the
country gained independence, the Webb family moved to England in 1948. They
eventually settled in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. The transition from warm,
colonial India to post-war England was significant, but the family
adapted.
Harry showed musical talent from an early age and became fascinated by the
emerging rock 'n' roll scene, especially inspired by artists such as Elvis
Presley and Little Richard. The latter even inspired his stage name: Cliff
Richard.
In 1958, at the age of eighteen, he recorded his first single: “Move It.”
Originally intended as a B-side, the track unexpectedly became a hit and
reached the second spot in the UK charts. It is often regarded as the first
true British rock 'n' roll song. Cliff became an overnight teen idol.
His backing band, initially called The Drifters, soon changed their name to
The Shadows to avoid confusion with the American group. Together with them,
Cliff dominated the British music scene in the late 1950s and early
1960s.
His popularity grew rapidly. In 1959, he scored his first number one hit
with “Living Doll”, and in the years that followed, he continued to produce
hit after hit.
At the same time, he also embarked on a film career. Movies like Expresso
Bongo (1959), The Young Ones (1961), and Summer Holiday (1963) made him not only
a musical but also a cinematic superstar. His image was clean, charming, and
approachable—a contrast to the edgier rock stars of that era. Often referred
to as the “British Elvis,” Cliff deliberately chose a more polished persona.
He didn’t drink, didn’t smoke, and stayed far from the scandals that plagued
other artists.
In 1965, Cliff underwent a personal transformation: he became a devoted
Christian, which further influenced both his music and his public image. His
repertoire gradually shifted from pure rock 'n' roll to more melodic pop and
even gospel.
Although the rise of The Beatles and other British Invasion bands somewhat
overshadowed his popularity, Cliff remained a constant in the British music
world. He represented the United Kingdom twice in the Eurovision Song
Contest: in 1968 with “Congratulations” (placing second) and in 1973 with
“Power to All Our Friends” (securing third place).
The 1970s were a time of reinvention for Cliff. While many of his
contemporaries faded from the spotlight, he managed to reinvent himself. His
music took on a more mature tone, and he began collaborating with new
producers and songwriters. In 1976, he scored a major hit with “Devil Woman”,
a song that also found success in the United States—quite rare for a British
artist of his generation. It proved Cliff could adapt to changing musical
trends without losing his identity.
In 1979, he released the album Rock ’n’ Roll Juvenile, featuring the hit single
“We Don’t Talk Anymore.” The song became one of his biggest successes,
reaching number one in the UK. It marked a new phase in his career, focusing
more on adult pop music with modern production. By the late 1970s, Cliff had
proven he was no one-hit wonder, but an artist with lasting relevance.
From 1980 onward, Cliff Richard experienced an impressive second wind in
his career. His music evolved with the times but never lost the recognizable
charm and integrity that had made him beloved for decades. That year, the
album I’m No Hero marked a new milestone, featuring successful singles like
“Dreamin’” and “A Little in Love.” Cliff proved once again he could connect
with the contemporary pop audience—not only in the UK, but also in the United
States.
In 1981, he showed that he was also visually in step with the times, with
the album Wired for Sound. The title track became a classic, partly thanks to
the now-iconic video of him roller-skating through a shopping center with a
Walkman on.During that same period, he also released “Daddy’s Home”, a
heartfelt cover that once again climbed high on the charts.
The rest of the decade saw Cliff maintain his success. In 1987, he
delivered one of his most commercially successful albums with Always
Guaranteed. Hits such as “Some People” and “My Pretty One” proved that his
music, despite changing trends, had not lost its appeal. In 1988, he
celebrated his 30th anniversary as an artist with sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium—a
milestone that underlined his enduring popularity.
At the same time, he continued to build on his artistic versatility. In
1986, he took on the lead role in the West End musical Time, written by Dave
Clark. The show, in which he played time-traveling scientist Chris Wilder,
was technically innovative and played to full houses. With this performance,
Cliff proved that he could also hold his own in the theatre.
In 1995, Cliff was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his
contributions to British music and his charitable work. From that moment on,
he could officially call himself Sir Cliff Richard. During this period, he
established himself as a true master of the Christmas song. With “Mistletoe
and Wine” (1988) and “Saviour’s Day” (1990), he scored two massive holiday
hits. His warm, festive style suited the season perfectly, and in 1999, he
topped off that legacy with “The Millennium Prayer”, achieving the rare feat
of scoring a number-one hit in five consecutive decades in the United
Kingdom.
His life away from the spotlight remained remarkably consistent. Cliff
consciously chose to remain unmarried and childless, and his Christian faith
continued to be a central part of his life. The 2010s saw him drawn into a
media storm when he was accused of sexual abuse—allegations that were later
proven completely unfounded. Despite the intense public scrutiny, Cliff
remained dignified and determined. The BBC was ultimately held accountable
for its role in the unlawful reporting, and Cliff received
compensation.
Beyond music, he developed other passions. In Portugal, he started a
vineyard, and his wine found eager fans among enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
He also devoted himself to writing several autobiographies. In My Life, My
Way and later The Dreamer, he looked back on his life and career with
candour, sharing insights into his faith, his fame, and his personal
choices.
His career milestones were always celebrated in grand fashion. In 2008, he
marked his 50th anniversary as a performer with a tour that reunited him with
The Shadows—a nostalgic highlight for longtime fans. In 2010, he followed up
with six sold-out shows at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate his 70th
birthday. And even in 2020, when he turned 80, he released a new album:
Music... The Air That I Breathe, featuring collaborations with Bonnie Tyler,
The Bellamy Brothers, and others. His voice had lost none of its power, and
his love for music seemed only to have grown deeper.
With over 260 million records sold worldwide, Sir Cliff Richard is without
doubt one of the best-selling artists of all time. He is the only artist to
have appeared in the UK charts across seven consecutive decades—a feat that
illustrates his extraordinary staying power and broad appeal. But perhaps
even more important is his ability to reinvent himself without compromising
his values. His career stands as a tribute to resilience, talent, and
authenticity.
And while many at that age would be stepping back, Cliff shows no sign of
slowing down. As he once said: “It’s not how old you are, it’s how you are
old.” And in the case of Sir Cliff Richard, that means with style, passion,
and an unshakable love for music. |
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